http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/ EPA's Risk Management Research develops ways to prevent and reduce pollution of air, land, and water, and to restore ecosystems. en-us 2010 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Public Domain. westerman.debbie@epa.gov Thr, 01 Dec 2011 7:00:00 -400 Thr, 01 Dec 2011 7:00:00 -400 News 20 http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/itunespodcast.jpg The latest risk management research news at EPA. clean no EPA, risk management, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, NRMRL, Office of Research & Development, ORD, Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, air, pollution, prevention, control, environmental, technology, verification, ground water, ecosystems restoration, land remediation, water supply, water resources, highlights, news, metal-laden, wastewater, ecosystem, land remediation, sustainability, media, podcast http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news122011.mp3 EPA land management specialists are helping to generate virtual landscape scenarios for communities in the Farmington Bay Wetlands area of the Great Salt Lake that will enable residents to 'see' the ecological consequences of current land use practices, projected over the next 20 years. The scenarios—which include alternative sustainable views of the same landscape—are created by the Alternative Futures Analysis, a computerized assessment tool that combines with Geographic Information Systems to visually portray the long-term impacts of varying developmental decisions on a community's ecosystem and quality of life. Sue White Land Thr, 01 Dec 2011 7:00:00 -400 http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news122011.mp3 Land use futures, virtual landscape scenarios, Farmington Bay Wetlands, Great Salt Lake, alternative futures analysis, geographic information systems, groundwater pollution, soil erosion, urban blight http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news112011.mp3 Drinking water, wastewater, and energy are three totally interrelated systems in municipal life. Based on this fact, an interdisciplinary research project, cooperatively sponsored by EPA, is evaluating the three systems and their potential links to sustainable technologies. A key goal of the project is to show how green water strategies of decentralization, recovery, and reuse can be matched with energy conservation strategies to create sustainable green buildings. Sue White Water Tue, 01 Nov 2011 7:00:00 -400 http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news112011.mp3 water, waste, energy systems, sustainability, drinking water, wastewater, green water, decentralization, recovery, reuse, energy conservation, sustainable green buildings, energy strategies http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news102011.mp3 Most Americans take safe drinking water for granted, without giving much thought to the research effort required to keep it that way. For nearly 100 years, biologists, chemists, engineers and other environmental scientists have been meeting the challenges posed by natural and man-made threats to safe and plentiful drinking water. EPA water researchers can point to many scientific accomplishments during that period, but many challenges remain. They range from stressed groundwater reserves to aging drinking water infrastructure. While the challenges are diverse and complex, so are the research responses. Sue White Water Sat, 01 Oct 2011 7:00:00 -400 http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news102011.mp3 Drinking water, groundwater, infrastructure, surface waters, contaminants, source waters, water flow, water treatment, water delivery http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news092011.mp3 EPA drinking water specialists are developing a unique approach to a long-standing issue in the treatment of drinking water—the inability to test treatment technologies against standardized water sources to benchmark the improvements in new technologies. To address this lack, the EPA team is working on the standardization of natural organic matter (NOM) in source waters. Sue White Water Thu, 01 Sep 2011 7:00:00 -400 http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news092011.mp3 Drinking water, treatment, treatment technologies, water sources, natural organic matter, NOM, water samples, water library, disinfection byproducts, granular activated carbon absorption, GAC, membrane fouling, climate change http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news082011.mp3 EPA scientists are using state-of-the-art DNA sequencing technologies to research fecal bacterial communities that have the potential to affect the U.S. beef and dairy industry, as well as future recreational water quality monitoring criteria. Their most recent effort is published in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology in May 2011. Results of this study show promise for pinpointing and managing sources of fecal pollution not only in the U.S. but worldwide. Sue White Water Mon, 01 Aug 2011 7:00:00 -400 http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news082011.mp3 DNA Sequencing, Fecal Pollution, bacterial, beef industry, dairy industry, recreational water quality, cattle, animal health, food safety, feedlots, E. coli, Campylobacter, Salmonella, Cryptosporidium, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, NRMRL, Office of Research & Development, ORD, Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, EPA http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news072011.mp3 The College of Engineering and Applied Sciences at the University of Cincinnati recently partnered with EPA researchers to evaluate the economic and environmental impacts of the college's new electronic annual report compared to the previous printed version. Using the Life Cycle Assessment methodology, the study found significant reductions in costs and environmental impacts for the electronic version. Sue White General Fri, 01 Jul 2011 7:00:00 -400 http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news072011.mp3 Life Cycle Assessment, LCA, University of Cincinnati, annual reports, cost reductions, environmental impacts, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, NRMRL, Office of Research & Development, ORD, Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, EPA http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news062011.mp3 Environmental researchers, whether in the laboratory or in the field, are potentially at risk from the hazardous pollutants they measure and monitor. To ensure the safety of scientists—as well as the supporting employee force behind their work—EPA's Safety, Health and Environmental Management (SHEM) Program administers a broad range of risk management activities. The goal: To save the people who are saving the world. Sue White General Wed, 01 Jun 2011 7:00:00 -400 http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news062011.mp3 SHEM, Safety and Health Team at Work, environmental researchers, hazardous pollutants, Safety, Health, Environmental Management, exposure, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, NRMRL, Office of Research & Development, ORD, Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, EPA http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news052011.mp3 EPA regional and state offices often call upon laboratory-based researchers whenever scientific or engineering assistance is needed at state remediation projects. Whether these involve hot-spot landfills, contaminated groundwaters, polluted lakes, or Superfund sites, EPA risk management researchers bring their expertise to bear in local cleanup and restoration projects. Sue White General Sun, 01 May 2011 7:00:00 http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news052011.mp3 State cleanup projects, cleanup, remediation, hot-spot landfills, landfills, contamination, groundwater, pollution, lakes, Superfund sites, dredging, Ohio, local, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, NRMRL, Office of Research & Development, ORD, Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, EPA http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news032011.mp3 Air quality researchers from EPA’s National Risk Management Research Laboratory employed aerostat (balloon) sampling technology to measure emissions from in-situ burning of waterborne oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico. Anchored to an oil rig utility ship, the sampling package was carried aloft by a polyurethane/nylon balloon and maneuvered into plumes emitted from purposely burned surface oil. Data from the sampling aided in the characterization of oil-burn contaminants and assessment of worker exposure hazard. Sue White Air Tue, 01 Mar 2011 7:00:00 http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news032011.mp3 Aerostat Emissions Sampling, Gulf of Mexico, Oil In-situ Burning, Air quality, balloon, waterborne oil spills, oil rig, burning surface oil, smoke plumes, contaminants, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, NRMRL, Office of Research & Development, ORD, Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, EPA http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news022011.mp3 The early decades of the 20th Century marked the birth of legislative protection of U.S. drinking water including new federal laws to protect forest lands as public water resources (1911) and the funding of public health research of human diseases related to sewage and the pollution of streams and lakes. (1912) In the years since then, under Presidents ranging from William Howard Taft to Barack Obama, innovative federal research and engineering technologies have provided Americans with the highest drinking water standards in human history. Sue White Water Tue, 01 Feb 2011 7:00:00 http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news022011.mp3 drinking water, safe water, 100 years, water research, water history, water innovation, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, NRMRL, Office of Research & Development, ORD, Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, EPA http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news012011.mp3 Whether they are called wind breaks or hedge rows or shelterbelts, vegetative barriers of trees and other plants are widely used for their ability to moderate wind speed and to filter noise, odors and blowing snow, among other benefits. Air quality researchers in the National Risk Management Research Laboratory are studying the potential of roadside vegetative barriers for moderating concentrations of airborne pollutants emitted by vehicular traffic. Sue White Air Sat, 01 Jan 2011 7:00:00 http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news012011.mp3 vegetative barriers, roadside air pollutants, wind breaks, hedge rows, shelterbelts, trees, wind speed, noise filter, vehicular traffic, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, NRMRL, Office of Research & Development, ORD, Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, EPA http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news122010.mp3 Microbial activity in streams and rivers produces nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas, but the importance of these systems in the global nitrous oxide budget is not well known. Most research on nitrous oxide emissions from freshwaters has been conducted in small streams and rivers where microbial activity is largely restricted to the sediments. In an investigation of nitrous oxide emissions from large rivers, EPA researchers from the National Risk Management Research Laboratory found that the water column in the Ohio River produces twice as much nitrous oxide as the river sediments. Sue White Air Wed, 01 Dec 2010 7:00:00 EST http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news122010.mp3 emission monitoring, Ohio River, greenhouse gas, gas emissions, microbial activity, streams, rivers, nitrous oxide, risk management, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, NRMRL, Office of Research & Development, ORD, Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, EPA http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news112010.mp3 Vehicles that use alternative fuels such as ethanol blend gasoline and biodiesel are the subject of ongoing research by air quality scientists in EPA’s National Risk Management Research Laboratory. Emissions from these two most commonly available fuels are being examined for their potential impacts on environmental and human health. Sue White Air Mon, 01 Nov 2010 7:00:00 EST http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news112010.mp3 emissions, alternative fuels, vehicles, ethanol, gasoline, biodiesel, automobiles, trucks, air toxic, gaseous pollutants, aerosol pollutants, risk management, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, NRMRL, Office of Research & Development, ORD, Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, EPA http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news102010.mp3 EPA’s Sustainable Materials And Residuals ManagemenT Decision Support Tool (SMART-DST) was developed by researchers in the National Risk Management Research Laboratory to encourage more sustainable management of solid waste. The DST provides a science-based approach to municipal waste management through use of life- cycle assessment to evaluate energy, climate change pollutants, air criteria pollutants, and waterborne pollutants. Sue White Sustainability Fri, 01 Oct 2010 7:00:00 EST http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news102010.mp3 decision support tool, DST, Panama waste management study, Sustainable Materials and Residuals Management, SMART-DST, solid waste, municipal waste management, life-cycle assessment, climate change pollutants, air criteria pollutants, waterborne pollutants, sustainable development, open dumping, waste collection, transport, recycling, composting, combustion, energy recovery, landfilling, risk management, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, NRMRL, Office of Research & Development, ORD, Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, EPA http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news092010.mp3 EPA researchers have developed a program called PLACES (Planning Land And Communities to be Environmentally Sustainable). The PLACES program is a 50 point planning model based on a matrix of three key systems—environmental, social and economic—that communities can adopt to track the incremental and cumulative human impacts on the sustainability of natural resources. Sue White Sustainability Wed, 01 Sep 2010 7:00:00 EST http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news092010.mp3 sustainability, PLACES, planning, land, communities, environmentally, sustainable, human behaviors, environmental resources, natural resources, superfund, land remediation, risk management, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, NRMRL, Office of Research & Development, ORD, Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, EPA http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news082010.mp3 Almost from its birth 15 years ago, EPA’s Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) Program has promoted the sharing of information across national boundaries. This outreach program began as a one-way effort with the U.S. ETV telling its story to other countries. Today, more than a dozen countries participate in a global exchange of ETV information, thanks, in part, to the pioneering work of the U.S. program. Sue White General Sun, 01 Aug 2010 7:00:00 EST http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news082010.mp3 ETV, Environmental Technology Verification, global exchange, environmental protection technologies, air, water, soil, technologies, risk management, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, NRMRL, Office of Research & Development, ORD, Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, EPA http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news072010.mp3 Some environmental scientists never see the end result of their work; typically, their findings become a piece of a larger puzzle. But for drinking water specialists at EPA’s National Risk Management Research Laboratory, the effort to discover the best available technology for arsenic removal in small communities can be readily traced from the laboratory studies to the actual adoption by local water utilities. Sue White Water Thu, 01 Jul 2010 7:00:00 EST http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news072010.mp3 arsenic, arsenic removal, water utilities, groundwater, wells, cancer, adsorptive media, coagulation/filtration, iron removal, reverse osmosis, ion exchange, point-of-use, risk management, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, NRMRL, Office of Research & Development, ORD, Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, EPA http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news062010.mp3 For decades American waterways have been used as dumping grounds for industrial and community wastes. Beginning in the 1970s, Federal Clean Water Act regulations helped to protect water resources, but virtually every U.S. industrial waterway has inherited a legacy of contaminated sediments. A notable example is the Grand Calumet River near Chicago which flows into Lake Michigan through one of the largest industrial complexes in the nation. Sediments on its river bottom have been called the most contaminated ever reported. EPA researchers in the National Risk management Research laboratory are testing various sediment management technologies at several locations in the Grand Calumet River region. Sue White Water Tue, 01 Jun 2010 7:00:00 EST http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news062010.mp3 restoring, degraded, industrial waterways, dumping, industrial waste, community waste, contaminated sediments, Grand Calumet River, risk management, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, NRMRL, Office of Research & Development, ORD, Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, EPA http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news052010.mp3 EPA researchers are exploring the use of remotely sensed imagery to detect changes in the foliage of genetically modified (GM) food crops as a measure of infestation by pest insects. To enhance EPA’s requirement for monitoring the development of resistance by these insects, researchers in the National Risk Management Research Laboratory are using patented imaging technology to monitor vegetation changes and plant stress by means of an aircraft-mounted hyperspectral sensor and satellite imagery. Sue White Sustainability Sat, 01 May 2010 7:00:00 EST http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news052010.mp3 genetically modified crops, remotely sensed imagery, satellite imagery, plant ecosystems, risk management, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, NRMRL, Office of Research & Development, ORD, Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, EPA http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news042010.mp3 In support of the Partnership for Clean Indoor Air, air researchers in EPA’s National Risk Management Research Laboratory tested a number of household cook stove and fuel combinations for performance and pollutant emissions. Previous studies showed that burning solid fuels - wood, coal, crop residues, animal waste, and other materials - typically produces substantial greenhouse gases and toxic air pollutants, even in supposedly improved stove models. With this study, NRMRL researchers sought to evaluate various cook stove designs that reduce harmful emissions and improve fuel efficiency. Sue White Air Thu, 01 Apr 2010 7:00:00 EST http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news042010.mp3 clean air, household cook stoves, stoves, fuel combinations, performance, pollutant emissions, solid fuels, wood, coal, crop residues, animal waste, greenhouse gases, toxic air pollutants, respiratory illness, risk management, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, NRMRL, Office of Research & Development, ORD, Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, EPA http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news032010.mp3 Under certain conditions, the microorganisms that are naturally present in urban wastewater systems can convert hydrogen sulfide in the water to sulfuric acid. When this happens, even durable concrete pipes are vulnerable to corrosion. Sue White Water Mon, 01 Mar 2010 7:00:00 EST http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news032010.mp3 concrete, sewer pipes, corrosion, microorganisms, wastewater, hydrogen sulfide, sulfuric acid, water, aging water infrastructure, drinking water, microbial corrosion, risk management, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, NRMRL, Office of Research & Development, ORD, Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, EPA http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news022010.mp3 EPA researchers have developed a multidisciplinary method for measuring movement toward—or away from—sustainability across a region for a 26-year period. Sustainability specialists have assembled a data set for a region in south-central Colorado that includes economic, social, and environmental variables. Sue White Sustainability Mon, 01 Feb 2010 7:00:00 EST http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news022010.mp3 sustainability metrics, methodologies, environmental issues, social, economic, Colorado, San Luis Valley, Upper Rio Grande River Basin, risk management, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, NRMRL, Office of Research & Development, ORD, Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, EPA http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news012010.mp3 SPECIATE is EPA’s repository of profiles of volatile organic gas and particulate matter air pollution sources. This valuable repository has helped users to characterize air emissions by species and source for more than 20 years. The recently updated version—SPECIATE 4.2—contains three categories of air pollutants: Particulate Matter (such as dust and ash), Volatile Organic Compounds (benzene, toluene), and Other Gases (mercury, nitrogen oxides) Sue White Air Fri, 01 Jan 2010 7:00:00 EST http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news012010.mp3 SPECIATE, air pollution, species, sources, volatile, organic gas, particulate matter, repository, air emissions, dust, ash, benzene, toluene, mercury, nitrogen oxides, database, total particulate matter, PM, volatile organic compounds, VOC, risk management, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, NRMRL, Office of Research & Development, ORD, Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, EPA http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news122009.mp3 Waste-to-Energy technologies employ a variety of approaches to the goal of developing clean, sustainable energy from biomass (carbonaceous plant material or animal material). One well-known example is the use of municipal landfill gas (methane) as a source of energy for generating electricity. Sue White Sustainability Tue, 01 Dec 2009 7:00:00 EST http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news122009.mp3 waste, energy, biomass, landfill, gas, methane, electricity, opportunity fuels, wastewater, solid waste, alternative energy, distrubuted generation systems, energy recovery, biofuels, biogas, risk management, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, NRMRL, Office of Research & Development, ORD, Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, EPA http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news112009.mp3 Americans generated about 250 million tons of waste. Of this amount, 54 percent was buried and 13 percent was combusted. Energy can be recovered from burying or burning waste. Communities across the U.S. are looking at ways to maximize resource and energy conservation in response to EPA’s Resource Conservation Challenge. Sue White Air Sun, 01 Nov 2009 7:00:00 EST http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news112009.mp3 waste, burying waste, burning waste, energy recovery, conservation, materials recovery, greenhouse gas, emissions, solid waste, electricity, landfill-gas-to-energy, LFGTE, waste-to-energy, WTE, methane, carbon dioxide, landfills, anaerobic breakdown, C02 emissions, recover energy, risk management, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, NRMRL, Office of Research & Development, ORD, Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, EPA http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news102009.mp3 PFCs (perfluorinated chemicals) make possible hundreds of popular non-stick and water-repellant commercial products. However, by their very nature, PFCs do not break down easily; instead they accumulate in the environment and have been found in water, air, soil, and in human and animal blood, world-wide. Sue White Air Thu, 01 Oct 2009 7:00:00 EST http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news102009.mp3 PFC, perfluorinated chemicals, non-stick surfaces, water-repellant surfaces, commercial products, exposure, PFCAs, perfluorocarboxylic acids, monitoring, contamination, PFOS, perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, toxicity, risk management, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, NRMRL, Office of Research & Development, ORD, Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, EPA http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news092009.mp3 Pinhole leaks in copper water lines are a major concern to both homeowners and drinking water utilities because of the high cost of residential line repairs and the waste of water resources from undetected leaks in service lines. Because copper pipe corrosion remains poorly understood, EPA supports ongoing research toward remedying the problem. Sue White Water Tue, 01 Sep 2009 7:00:00 EST http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news092009.mp3 Water, pinhole, leak, copper pipe, water lines, corrosion, pitting, water utilities, mildew, pH, alkalinity, sulfate, chloride, aluminum, silica, inorganic carbon, orthophosphate, risk management, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, NRMRL, Office of Research & Development, ORD, Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, EPA http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news082009.mp3 Can living near a major roadway be dangerous to your health? To provide some answers to that question, air quality specialists in EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD) are gathering data to quantify the extent and concentrations of selected motor vehicle emissions near heavy-traffic roadways. The data will be useful in the development of programs, such as road and barrier construction, that could minimize near-road exposures to high-risk pollutants. Sue White Air Sat, 01 Aug 2009 7:00:00 EST http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news082009.mp3 Air, road, highway, toxic emissions, roadway, motor vehicle, cars, trucks, air toxics, particulate matter, acute respiratory, construction, barrier, high-risk pollutants, Clean Air Act of 1970, urban areas, ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, lead, soot, dust, smoke particles, cancer, benzene, gasoline, methylene chloride, dioxin, formaldehyde, mercury, chromium, pollution, traffic, asthma, bronchitis, exposure, risk management, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, NRMRL, Office of Research & Development, ORD, Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, EPA http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news072009.mp3 EPA recently launched a new Web site called “Watershed Central” to help watershed organizations and other stakeholders find key information they need to implement watershed management decisions. The Watershed Central site includes guidance, tools, case studies and data resources that integrate EPA programs to help users share information, analyze data, and initiate or strengthen their own watershed efforts. Sue White Water Wed, 01 Jul 2009 7:00:00 EST http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news072009.mp3 Watershed Central, management tool, web site, watershed management, water, streams, lakes, estuaries, wetlands, stormwater mitigation, drink water, wastewater, treatment, protection, mine water, animal waste, ecosystems, risk management, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, NRMRL, Office of Research & Development, ORD, Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, EPA http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news062009.mp3 Nanotechnology — working with materials that are 100 nanometers or smaller — has potential applications in many facets of human life, from consumer products to medicine. It allows scientists to work with completely new materials by controlling matter at the atomic level, where the properties of matter change in ways researchers are just beginning to understand. While the potential benefits of nanotechnology are known, researchers and concerned consumers alike have raised questions about the potential risks. Sue White Sustainability Mon, 01 Jun 2009 7:00:00 EST http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news062009.mp3 Nanotechnology, consumer products, nanosilver, disposal, ecosystems, greenhouse gas, emissions, nanomaterials, Life Cycle Assessment, LCA, risk management, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, NRMRL, Office of Research & Development, ORD, Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, EPA http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news052009.mp3 Ground water that has become contaminated by chemicals that are sparingly soluble in water, such as chlorinated solvents, presents a serious ecological and human health risk. Ground water remediation scientists at EPA’s National Risk Management Research Laboratory are using absorption and light refraction analysis to determine the saturation distribution of common ground water contaminants in order to facilitate research on the development of effective methods for remediating sites impacted by these chemicals. Sue White Water Fri, 01 May 2009 7:00:00 EST http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news052009.mp3 groundwater, contaminants, image analysis tools, chemicals, chlorinated solvents, remediation, adsorption analysis, light refraction analysis, dense nonaqueous phase liquid, DNAPL, risk management, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, NRMRL, Office of Research & Development, ORD, Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, EPA http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news042009.mp3 The National Risk Management Research Laboratory presents many innovative research projects that directly involve homeowners and other stakeholders in real-world applications. In connection with Earth Day 2009, we offer a sampling of these technologies to illustrate how individuals and communities can benefit from their application. Sue White General Wed, 01 Apr 2009 7:00:00 EST http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news042009.mp3 Earth Day, 2009, stormwater runoff, rain barrels, rain gardens, swales, green roofs, porous pavements, brownfields, SMARTe, sustainable community, risk management, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, NRMRL, Office of Research & Development, ORD, Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, EPA http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news032009.mp3 For more than 30 years, EPA has provided information to the U.S. drinking water systems—large and small—that serve millions of American consumers. In that time, EPA researchers have identified hundreds of potential contaminants to drinking water quality. To help stakeholders navigate this body of information, EPA recently commissioned a new online tool, the Drinking Water Treatability Database, that provides information on controlling these contaminants in drinking water. Sue White Water Sun, 01 Mar 2009 7:00:00 EST http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news032009.mp3 drinking water, contaminants, Drinking Water Treatability Database, TDB, treatment process, risk management, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, NRMRL, Office of Research & Development, ORD, Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, EPA http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news022009.mp3 Heavy loads of nutrients, sediments, pesticides, and other materials can be harmful to delicate aquatic ecosystems. Riparian buffers – vegetated regions adjacent to streams and wetlands – are a common means of intercepting and controlling these pollutants as they enter water bodies. EPA considers nitrogen one of the top stressors to aquatic ecosystem health. To determine how to better protect these environments from excess nitrogen, National Risk Management Research Laboratory's (NRMRL’s) Ground Water and Ecosystems Restoration Division (GWERD) conducted a comprehensive review of riparian buffer practices. Sue White Water Sun, 01 Feb 2009 7:00:00 EST http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news022009.mp3 riparian buffers, nutrients, sediments, pesticides, aquatic ecosystems, streams, wetlands, vegetation, nitrogen, fertilizers, animal wastes, leaky sewers, highway runoff, algal blooms, oxygen depletion, nitrate, risk management, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, NRMRL, Office of Research & Development, ORD, Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, EPA http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news012009.mp3 Within our continent’s aquifers lie archives of long-term climate changes describing precipitation recharge in watersheds. Aquifers act as filters that smooth out short-term climate fluctuations and record continental climate signals. Past temperature signals (paleotemperatures) are stored with dissolved noble (inert) gases in ground water. Using noble gases as proxies, NRMRL hydrologists are sampling paleotemperatures in the Elwha watershed on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. Sue White Water Thu, 01 Jan 2009 7:00:00 EST http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news012009.mp3 risk management, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, NRMRL, Office of Research & Development, ORD, Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, EPA, technology, technology assessment, air, air quality, human health, environment, environmental, population growth, economic expansion, energy resource constraints, stressors, global climate, climate change research, aquifers, climate change, global climate warming, paleotemperatures, noble gases, inert gases, groundwater, proxies, sampling, Elwha watershed, Olympia Peninsula, State of Washington, forecast, recharge, patterns, northwest, salmon, habitats, tribal, tribes, fisheries, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, stream, temperatures http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news122008.mp3 NRMRL’s Energy and Climate Assessment Team (ECAT) assesses emerging energy and pollution mitigation technologies and their potential effect on harmful emissions. With a focus on the energy and transportation sectors, ECAT helps EPA to better understand how technological evolution can impact future air quality Sue White Air Tue, 02 Dec 2008 7:00:00 EST http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news122008.mp3 risk management, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, NRMRL, Office of Research & Development, ORD, Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, EPA, technology, technology assessment, air, air quality, human health, environment, environmental, population growth, economic expansion, energy resource constraints, stressors, global climate, climate change research, Energy and Climate Assessment Team, ECAT, energy technologies, pollution mitigation technologies, harmful emissions, energy sector, transportation sector, technological evolution, future air quality, renewable energy, wind turbine, human impacts, population growth, changing technologies, growing energy dependence, fossil fuels, greenhouse gases, criteria pollutants, coal, carbon dioxide, power plants, coal-fired power plants, fossil fuel emissions, MARKAL Model, advanced nuclear reactors, wind, solar, biomass, coal gasification, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, MARket ALlocation, EPA National MARKAL Database, EPANMD, EPA Nine Region MARKAL Database, EPAUS9r, energy supply, energy demand, technology characteristics, fuel costs, energy policies, electricity demands, hydrogen production http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news112008.mp3 ETV provides uniform, controlled, and objective testing of technologies in all media—air, water, and land—that support EPA’s goal of a cleaner and healthier environment. Sue White Sustainability Sat, 01 Nov 2008 7:00:00 EST http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news112008.mp3 nrmrl, US EPA, EPA, diesel, emissions, diesel emissions, particulate matter, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, exhaust, exhaust treatments, retrofit fuels, crankcase filtration systems, diesel particulate filters, DPF, diesel oxidation catalysts, DOC, selective catalytic reduction, SCR, blowby, National Clean Diesel Campaign http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news102008.mp3 NRMRL urban watershed researchers are evaluating the performance of a porous pavement system—interlocking concrete pavers with filter/gravel layers. This is just one of several types of porous pavements that filter rainwater runoff. Sue White Water Wed, 01 Oct 2008 7:00:00 EST http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news102008.mp3 risk management, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, NRMRL, Office of Research & Development, ORD, Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, QSAR, T.E.S.T., software tool, ECOSAR http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news092008.mp3 Each year many new chemicals join the thousands already in existence in the marketplace. Determining their potential hazard to humans and the environment is an ongoing challenge for EPA’s mission of sustainability in support of economic growth. Sue White General Mon, 01 Sep 2008 7:00:00 EST http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news092008.mp3 risk management, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, NRMRL, Office of Research & Development, ORD, Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, Qessage, announcement, outreach team, human face, WEFTEC, GLOBE, JSEM, WASTE EXPO, AWWA, WQTC, AWMA, Cindy Kirchmer http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news082008.mp3 Wherever national scientific conferences and trade shows are held, EPA is there, thanks to a popular outreach program managed by NRMRL technical communication specialists. Sue White General Fri, 01 Aug 2008 7:00:00 EST http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news082008.mp3 risk management, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, NRMRL, Office of Research & Development, ORD, Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, technical communications, outreach staff, scientific conference http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news072008.mp3 EPA researchers have developed an advanced hydraulic fracturing technology to help remediate subsoil contaminants. Sue White Sustainability Tue, 01 Jul 2008 07:00:00 EST http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news072008.mp3 risk management, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, NRMRL, Office of Research & Development, ORD, Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, sustainability, Stella, Missouri, revitalization http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news062008.mp3 EPA researchers have developed an advanced hydraulic fracturing technology to help remediate subsoil contaminants. Sue White Water Sun, 01 Jun 2008 07:00:00 EST http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news062008.mp3 risk management, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, NRMRL, Office of Research & Development, ORD, Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, subsurface pollutants, ground water, aerobic bioremediation, microorganisms, SOS, encapsulated sodium percarbonate, hydraulic fracturing, MTBE, toluene, compound fracture, BTEX http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news052008.mp3 NRMRL's swales research at the Urban Watershed Research Facility in Edison, New Jersey, helps communities safely route stormwater runoff and reduce runoff-carried pollutants. Sue White Sustainability Thu, 01 May 2008 07:00:00 EST http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news052008.mp3 risk management, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, NRMRL, Office of Research & Development, ORD, Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, water researchers, stormwater management, swales research, Edison, New Jersey, green, low-cost drainage option http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news042008.mp3 This April 19, EPA Cincinnati’s Office of Public Affairs will partner with the Greater Cincinnati Earth Coalition to present Earth Day as a major community event. Sue White Sustainability Tue, 01 Apr 2008 07:00:00 EST http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news042008.mp3 risk management, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, NRMRL, Office of Research & Development, ORD, Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, Earth Day, Pandy Pollution, mascot, Ohio River, Cincinnati, earth coalition exhibits, exhibitors http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news032008.mp3 Scientists from EPA's National Risk Management Research Laboratory will participate in the 2008 EPA Science Forum in Washington, DC, to highlight the role of innovative technologies in an expanding and sustainable economy. Sue White Sustainability Sat, 01 Mar 2008 07:00:00 EST http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news032008.mp3 risk management, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, NRMRL, Office of Research & Development, ORD, Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, sustainability, 2008 Science Forum, innovative technologies, sustainable economy, Energy, Climate, and the Environment, Technology Advances, Water Systems Infrastructure and Security http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news022008.mp3 The Water Resource Adaption Program (WRAP) studies long-term effects of global climate change on U.S. water resources. Sue White Water Fri, 01 Feb 2008 07:00:00 EST http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news022008.mp3 risk management, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, NRMRL, Office of Research & Development, ORD, Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, water, Water Resource Adaptation Program (WRAP), Global Climate Effects, climate changes, reuse of wastewater, Remediation of saltwater, saltwater intrusion, ground water sources http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news012008.mp3 When the federal rule limiting arsenic in drinking water was revised in 2001 to 10 parts per billion, it challenged nearly all small U.S. water systems (those serving 10,000 or fewer people) to find cost-effective ways to meet the new standards. Sue White Water Wed, 02 Jan 2008 08:00:00 EST http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/podcast/news012008.mp3 risk management, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, NRMRL, Office of Research & Development, ORD, Environmental Protection Agency, US EPA, water, Arsenic Removal, Arsenic Removal Technology Demonstration Program, drinking water, Climax, Minnesota